Improvement in velocipedes



2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. H. IRWIN.

Velocipede.

Patented Feb. 2, 1869.

IN1/EN To R m W w JOHN H. IRWIN, 'OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Lette/rs Patent No. 86,406, dated Feb/mamy 2, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN V'ELOCIPEDES.

The Schedule referred tin these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concerne:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. IRvvIN, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Velocipede's; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 representing a side elevation.

Figure 2, a plan or top view. Y

Like letters denote Vcorresponding parts in both iigures.

Heretofore no velocipedes have been so constructed and arranged ,as to admit of running on a single rail, or track, for the reason that no provision has been made for balancing the velocipede, while thus confined to a single straight-forward motion, since it is evident to any one acquainted with the movements ofthe two-wheel velocipede, that its balance is sustained by a more or less serpentine motion. The main feature of my invention obviates this diiculty, 'and enables the velocipede toFm move or run on a single trackor rail, although I wish it to be understood, at the outset, that I do not conne this improvement to velocipedes for running on rails, but intend it for any velocipede, its advantages being useful to all.

The nature of this improvement consists in a swivelseat, that is, a seat which may swing laterally in either direction from its central position, by which the rider may adjust the centre of gr/avity independentof the velocipede, and, in connection with this swivel-seat, the use of a fixed or stationary hand-support, by which the rider may more readily control the movement of the seat.

In the drawings- A represents the frame,

B, the front wheel, and

G, the hind wheel of a two-Wheel velocipede.

I have represented the wheels in iig. 2, as provided with double flanges c c, to embrace a rail, x, but these flanges are not necessary for a grooved track, and it is to be understood that my improvements are also applicable when no track, or rail, is to be run on.

Centrally upon the top of the proper standards a a, of the frame, I secure a vertical pivot-bolt, c, around which fits a socket, d, of the seat D, so that the said seat may freely swivel or swing laterally, as indicated by red and blue lines in fig. 2; then, upon the pivotbolt e, is fixed the hand-support E, situated transversely, and properly braced to its support, substantially as represented.

The reason of the action of the swivel-seat D, and ofthe use `of the xed hand-support in connection therewith, is as followsz- When, atany moment, the rider perceives the velocipede to be leaning out of balance to'either side, as h e holds with his hands the two ends of the hand-support, he will naturally, or instinctively, draw upon that end of the hand-support which is opposite to the direction in which the leaning tends, the effect of `which is to draw the seat to the opposite side of thevvelocipede, and thus to shift the centre of gravity in that direction until it becomes again supported or balanced. Thus, if the velocipede leans to the left side, the rider pulls the more with his right hand on the right end of the hand-support, which action throws the seat D toward the position indicated by blue lines in iig. 2; and if he is losing his balance toward the right, he draws on the left end of the hand-support, and thus draws the seat D toward the position shown by red lines in the same gure, until the velocipede is balanced. Thus, to whichever side the leaning turns, the rider .instantly recovers his balance, and this entirely irrespective of the direction in whichthe velocipede is moving, so that by means of this swivel-seat and fixed hand-support, it becomes,`

as practicable and easy to run the velocipede on a rail, or track, as anywhere else.

Over the hind wheel C, I also propose to mount a second` stationary seat, G, for an additional rider, who may look backward, and have a foot-board. or support, h, atthe rear end ofthe frame.

I have shown, in the drawings, means of giving additional support to the swinging or swivel-seat D, con-v sisting of an arc-shaped way, L, supported on a standard, Z, projecting upward from the frame A, and situated concentrically with the circular motion of the seat, for the seat to ride upon it in its swinging movement. It may have a friction-roller, or rollers, n, to lioll on the said way, to diminish'friction.

When the rider wishes to remove his feet from the cranks b b, he may place them on the foot-supports p p, situated on the side of the frame A. When hs feet are in this position, he may remove his hands from the hand-support E, if he so desires.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. A swivelled seat, D, applied to a velocipede, for the purpose herein specied.

2. Also, the combination of the swivelled seat D, and iiXed hand-support E, arranged upon a velocipede, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

J. H IRWIN.

Witnesses:

J. S. BROWN, R. S. TURNER. 

